Photo of Ryan Smith

Ryan Smith

Senior Editor

Ryan is a writer and editor who first wrote for AwardWallet team in 2021 but has been around points and miles for several years. He has written at Forbes Advisor, CNBC Select, Miles to Memories, The Points Guy, and USA Today Blueprint.

 

After someone at his hostel in China said “I flew here for free using points,” Ryan was hooked. Ryan is on a mission to visit every country in the world and has less than 10 countries remaining. He will visit his final country in late 2023.

 

His wife joins him on many of his trips, and they enjoy snowboarding, diving, and seeing animals in the wild. When not traveling, Ryan is probably answering questions from his family about how he travels so much and whether all of this is illegal.

Which Hilton Honors Credit Card Is Right for You?

Whether you're a big fan of Hilton Honors or just stay at hotels a few times a year and would like to get some extra perks, there are numerous Hilton co-branded credit cards. But these choices could feel daunting. Which Hilton credit card is right for you? We'll help you decide.

Which United Credit Card Is Right for You?

In addition to lucrative opportunities to earn a new cardmember bonus, the United co-branded cards from Chase come with an extensive list of perks that can make them easy to justify keeping for the long term. In this post, we break down the different levels of benefits on offer from each of the United credit cards to help you decide which one is the best fit for your budget and travel plans.

The Complete Guide to Marriott Bonvoy Elite Status

Interested in earning elite status with Marriott's Bonvoy rewards program? It includes five elite tiers and a basic membership level. The program has a huge footprint around the world and offers varying perks, depending on your status level and hotel brand you're staying at. In this article, we take a deep dive into Marriott's elite status tiers, what they offer, and how to attain these perks.

Which Citi American Airlines AAdvantage Credit Card is Right for You?

Citi offers several types of American Airlines AAdvantage credit cards. So how do you decide which card is right for you? Here is a comparison of the benefits, perks, and fees associated with the cards to help you understand what ongoing value they provide beyond just the welcome offer. There's likely a card that fits in everyone's wallet, so let us help you decide.

Best Credit Cards for Back-To-School Shopping

School is starting again soon for most students in the U.S. Whether you're the one heading to the classroom or you're sending your children back to school, putting your shopping expenses on the right credit cards can help you earn extra rewards or put cash back in your pocket along the way. This is money you need to spend, so you might as well get something for it.

Capital One Adds 48-Month Credit Card Bonus Rule

Capital One has added new 48-month terms to the application terms for many of its credit cards. And while this might feel restrictive, the silver lining is that this provides clarity over the vague terms on previous applications. Let's look at the rule and how it applies to your credit card strategy going forward.

Best Credit Cards for Everyday Purchases in 2023

There are hundreds of credit cards on the market, each offering a bonus for a different kind of purchase. But what do you do when a purchase doesn't fall neatly into any bonus category? In this post, we discuss the best cards to use for everyday purchases. From rewards points to cash back or statement credits, here are the best cards for everyday, non-bonus purchases.

Comparison of Premium Airline Rewards Credit Cards

Which premium airline card is the best? Our comparison of the big three carriers' top credit cards looks at welcome offers, lounge access, elite perks, earning rates, and more to see which airline card is the best. These cards have many similarities, but there are key differences to distinguish, in order to help you understand which one may fit best in your wallet.

Crazy Good Availability for Starlux Flights Using Alaska Miles

Alaska Airlines and Starlux (the Taiwan-based airline) launched a partnership earlier this year, and mileage redemptions with Alaska Mileage Plan miles are now live. That means you can book Starlux awards. And I'm not just saying, "In theory, you can book awards." You really can book awards...pretty much any day you want. Let's show you how to take advantage of this award availability for a dream trip to Taiwan or onward to other points in Asia.

You Can Now Book ITA Airways Flights With Virgin Atlantic Flying Club Points

Virgin Atlantic Flying Club joined SkyTeam on March 2, 2023, and it's now possible to book awards for SkyTeam partner ITA Airways using your Virgin points. Best of all, you can do this online. ITA Airways, for those unfamiliar, is an Italian airline and is the successor to now-defunct Alitalia. Here's what you should know about using your Virgin Atlantic points for ITA Airways flights — and the wide-open availability we're seeing.